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When you're entering the world of venture capital to fuel your growth-stage startup, it can often be difficult to find an investor that you can trust to offer startup funding to companies with significant potential. The lack of physical meetings due to the pandemic has also made it challenging for founders and investors to network, get to understand each other, and build strong connections. Those are crucial especially for growth and late stage startups raising Series A, Series B rounds and beyond.
VCs, formerly the Venture Equity Fund is a fund that invests in high-growth early growth businesses. The tech startup market can grow easily comparatively quickly with relatively tiny investments in its market. One or two entrepreneurs working from a garage and achieving the most money possible will start more than a multibillion tech start-up within 5 years. This is a lot harder to achieve for a conventional business like a cake chain. Fundcomb is a broad wide-ranging online search system which helps you locate investors and capitals all under the Internet. For more information visit our complete database with filters including more data for fund types geopolitical regions, size of fund and etc.
Many of these venture capital funds and investors operate out of Singapore, although they support a diverse number of portfolios and projects with offices across Southeast Asia and beyond. Here are some resources about fundraising in Singapore, across various sectors.
In Singapore there are micro loan schemes by the Singapore government under the auspices of Spring Singapore and IE Singapore which facilitate you in taking small loans via participating financial institutions like OCBC, UOB, DF. Small businesses with a clear track record of earning revenue and booming future would benefit. Although they are relatively often used to help manage operations, these sources of funding play little or no role in their overall management as the purpose is to obtain an attractive return (in the form of high interest from 7 to 12 percent) on their investment.
Business Angel Network Southeast Asia (BANSEA) matches startup entrepreneurs in the seed phase of startup formation with business angels. BANSEA invests in companies offering outstanding opportunities for high returns. Such opportunities often involve early development ventures with great growth potential, or in a developing market (particularly in emerging markets) or even in. There are also networks where you can find angel investors.
The venture capital industry in Singapore is relatively new and smaller compared to the US and Europe. The most popular startups for VC funds are those which have a competitive edge in the market, new technology, and long-term profiteering opportunities. Investors in this region include Eduardo Saverin of Facebook - a renowned angel investor in Singapore. Another is DreamLabs - a $50M fund which invests in disruptive, scalable people-oriented companies in the areas of Cleantech FinTech eCommerce Healthcare and Energy. The fund also supports the foundation's infrastructure through mentoring and networking services in its Incubation Centre in Singapore's City CBD.
Although based in New York, Insight Partners invests in software companies worldwide. With a long operating history, Insight Partners has made more than $30 billion in capital commitments, invested in more than 400 companies, and completed more than 200 M&A transactions for their portfolio companies. Their startup portfolio in Southeast Asia include Spenmo and Employment Hero.
B Capital Group has raised $1.7b across four different funds, the most recent launched in April 2021. The Group primarily participates in computing and robotics startup financing, with Series A and B investments in companies such as Satori Cyber and Leena AI. Portfolio startups in Southeast Asia include Carro, Ninja Van, and Kopi Kenangan.
Burda Principal Investments was founded in 2015, and already has a legacy of strong investments. Previously investing in Etsy, Notonthehighstreet and Miinto, this fund primarily focuses on late stage venture investments and has since expanded operations and investments with offices across Munich, Berlin, London and Singapore. Portfolio startups in Southeast Asia include Carsome, Zilingo, and Hmlet.
Based in Singapore, Jungle Ventures has raised $565m across several funds. This fund has primarily invested in software companies and those offering much needed digital services, including a range of apps designed to boost Asia's thriving tourism scene.
Monk's Hill Ventures are far from the largest investors, raising just $10m, but are Series A investors in a range of financial and demand aggregation companies. Monk's Hill focuses on early investment to build the highest possible returns.
Square Peg Capital focus on Series A and Series B funding, using their raised $1b across almost 100 investments. Key successful past investments include ride-sharing app Uber and freelancing app Fiverr.
Vertex Ventures operate out of California but have a fund specifically dedicated to tech investments in South East Asia. With over 400 investments, these startup investors primarily invest in the Seed Stage, Series A and Series B funding. Furthermore, they have a high turnover rate, with over 80 investment exits.
Aviva Ventures is a UK-based VC firm with funding around the world, offering startup funding for companies such as Singapore's Swingvy. Aviva is a relatively low-mass investor, with insurance being their primary industry.
Idinvest Partners is a high-volume investor, with over 400 investments and over 100 exits. This Pan-European investor has a particular focus on healthcare and has investments spanning the globe, from California to Singapore.
MindWorks is a Pan-Asia VC firm and has raised $142m across three funds. Primarily a Series A and B investor, their portfolio such as Zipmex and Qupital demonstrate a clear focus on financial management and
Momentum is the venture platform of SMRT corporation and is currently a small investor. With five Series A startups funded, Momentum look to get involved early and maximise profit potential in the long term, focusing on the transport sector.
Naspers is a venture fund based in South Africa that seeks to invest in valuable prospects worldwide. Portfolio startups such as Shipper, a logistics platform in Jakarta, are indicators of a long term interest in Asian markets.
Sequoia Capital invests in energy, finance and mobile industries from their California base, and are involved in many businesses. With almost 1600 investments and over 300 exits, Sequoia Capital are willing to use their $19.2b to invest in a selection of companies with potential.
Based in Singapore, Vickers Venture Partners use their $915m as a primarily lead investor, supporting companies in Asia and the Middle East through early funding stages.
Based in Singapore, Hera Capital blends a focus on local startups with support for small companies internationally. Their most notable exit is Linkfluence, now a successful brand network application.
Cento Ventures is focused on Southeast Asia, using its investments to support startups looking to make an impact in the region. Cento is primarily a Series A investor, often acting as a lead investor to help companies to flourish.
InVent is a private equity firm based in Krung Thep, or Bangkok, founded in 2012. InVent is primarily an early-stage venture fund, often acting as a lead investor in small companies with significant growth potential. Although this fund is small, its focus on business development is key to startups.
Atlas Ventures has raised a total of $50m for its Singapore VC fund, with 23 current investments in progress. Atlas primarily focuses on funding software companies and those with a focus on mobile apps.
Led by Steven Toomey and Jeffrey Pain, Golden Gate Ventures focus on early-stage funding across Southeast Asia. Their primary focus is on funding startups and providing a nurturing financial environment for their growth.
Seeking to serve the "mass market" across Asia, Patamar Capital put their $68.6m towards early investments in fellow financial firms, offering platforms and financial software companies a foundation on which to build.
SPRIM Ventures is a new and rising investor in the health space. With one current investment, the company is looking to grow into further markets and work for both profit and health development simultaneously.
A new investor in the space, TNB Ventures are a venture capital firm seeking to build a portfolio from their Singapore base. Their current funding levels are undisclosed.
DSG Consumer Partners has raised $139m from 3 funds, leading to a wide range of investments in South Asian food businesses. These include healthy food company Anveshan, Float Foods in Singapore, and Power Gummies, providers of nutritional supplements in India.
MDI Ventures has raised a total of $830m over its five funds and has three unicorns in its portfolio. Based in Jakarta, MDI Ventures seek to be an early investor in a range of startups to see the full benefit of their long term potential.
Qualgro VC has raised $150m across two funds with the majority of their investments focused on the world of computing in Australia, New Zealand and across South East Asia. Founded six years ago, Qualgro is rapidly becoming a major player in its field.
Based in Tokyo, Rakuten Ventures currently hold relatively few investments, primarily based in Japan. By supporting local startups Rakuten intends to boost business in Tokyo, with their sole exit so far being Make Leaps, a successful online invoicing software for Tokyo businesses.
Headquartered in New York, Tiger Global is focused on public and private companies in the global Internet, software, consumer, and financial technology industries. Their private equity business has invested in hundreds of companies across more than 30 countries, including investments ranging from Series A to pre-IPO. Their latest investments in Southeast Asia includes fintech unicorn Xendit.
Founded by John Riady, Rudy Ramawy and Stefan Jung, Venturra Capital has raised a total of $150m in their single venture fund, using it to invest in 29 different companies. Their most notable investment is Cove, the number one branded home retail marketplace in South East Asia.
With funds of $320m, Insignia Ventures specialise in early investments in South East Asian companies with potential for long term growth. Within the last six months, the fund hasn't invested later than in Series B, demonstrating this fund's willingness to get involved with new startups.
Based in Jakarta, Grupara's goal is to connect Indonesia to the world through smart investments that benefit all. Their sole lead investment is in Konserku, a demand-anticipation application that helps artists to determine the most profitable venues for performances. Grupara remains a family office, formed in 2013.
Now you have a better understanding of the investment landscape in South East Asia, you can attempt to pitch yourself to investors that act throughout the region, working with startups like your own.
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